We don't need desal, we have plenty of water for people to live here. The vast majority of water goes to agriculture. If we were just a bit more selective in what we farmed, we could reduce our water usage by a significant amount.
If California had spent the last 20 years (let alone 50) building out desal plants, we wouldn't need to be selective.
For how long?
Why are you advocating for scarcity? Scarcity causes conflict. We live in a world where we don't have to fear scarcity. Why not advocate for desal AND better water use?
I mean, yes, but no. We could cut on beef, I agree with that, but then the electorate will be enraged at their expensive steaks.